(22 Jan 2023, 4:42 pm)L469 YVK wrote Hopefully if Nexus, Northumberland CC, GNE and Arriva all work together with a clean 5 minute service and joint ticketing, that should support a more 'local authority' bid rather than feeding the usual dog eat dog case. PVR would be 28x in total (306/308 = 14x & 309/310 = 14x).
If it's based purely on emissions then the 38 would be the better choice for the Coast Road and considering Stagecoach were the ones who commented on the funding coming it would suggest they've got something to do with it as I'm not sure why they'd be happy for their competitors getting funded buses.
My guess personally is something like this: Consett: X5/X15/16 (14), Riverside: 21 (16), Walkergate: 1/38 or 39/40 (22) with the 69 plates staying or displaced to the other two.
With a focus on both Durham and Newcastle; especially when Dickie Holden in Consett is fighting for his seat who has a minister role in transport right now.